The Jigawa  Judicial Service Commission has approved the compulsory retirement of a Sharia court judge, Sadisu Muhammad-Haruna, for misconduct.

The sanction was announced in a statement on Tuesday.

The JSC took the decision after a meeting in Dutse.

He said that the commission, after a thorough review of a petition and established evidence, resolved to compulsorily retire Mr Muhammad-Haruna.

The director added that the decision was sequel to the investigation of a petition submitted by Abdullahi Hamza, after which the commission found that the judge was guilty of corruption and illegal detention.

According to him, investigations revealed that the judge demanded and collected charges or fees from the petitioner that were not provided for in the schedule of court fees chargeable under the Jigawa Shari’a Court Civil Procedure Rules (2012).

“This act of extortion, followed by the illegal detention of the petitioner, was deemed a gross violation of judicial ethics and an abuse of office,” said the commission.

The JSC said the compulsory retirement of Mr Muhammad-Haruna served as a clear warning that the commission will not tolerate any form of corruption or abuse of power by a judicial officer.

Meanwhile, the commission has approved the promotion of over 80 staff members across various categories.

The commission said the promotion of staff members was done to boost staff morale and reward excellence.

The director further disclosed that the commission also appointed some senior staff to various positions in the state Shari’a Court of Appeal.

Those appointed are Aliyu Muhammad, as deputy chief registrar (I, administration), Abdulrashid Alhassan as deputy chief registrar (II, litigation), Isma’il Sani as chief inspector Shari’a courts, Umar Malam as director of planning, research and statistics, Muhammad Lawan as director of personnel management and Kabiru Isyaku as deputy chief inspector.

The commission assured the public of its continuous efforts to sanitise the system and ensure that judicial officers and staff perform their duties in accordance with the law and established regulations.

(NAN)